Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs Americans in New Jersey and Delaware have been urged to conserve water amid drought conditions and wildfires.Why It MattersBoth states have faced dry conditions recently, the South Jersey region currently facing extreme drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.Wildfires have hit New Jersey hard over the fall, with 356 wildfires reported this year alone, a 266 percent increase from the number of fires burning the same time last year.People in these states have been asked to keep this in mind when it comes to their water usage, as wildfire season looms.What To KnowNew Jersey’s Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette said: “Our forests are very dry, and our precious drinking water sources remain stressed from lack of precipitation. “As we head into spring following a very dry fall and winter, we must all do our part to prevent wildfires and reduce water use, especially when gardening, landscaping, and caring for our lawns.”Officials in Delaware made similar requests, asking people not to burn materials outside and to clear vegetation around their homes, with State Forester Kyle Hoyd saying: “We need residents to take this request seriously for their safety, as well as their neighbors and their communities.”There were more than 420 outdoor fires across Delaware between November and February, according to Delaware’s Department of Agriculture.
Delaware Department of Agriculture photo of a forest in dry conditions.
Delaware Department of Agriculture photo of a forest in dry conditions.
Delaware Department of Agriculture
What People Are SayingHoyd said: “Most people think of the summer as being the most dangerous time for wildfires, but in Delaware, the period of leaf drop in the fall and right now, when vegetation is dormant … is when we see the most wildfires. This is the worst I have seen for fine fuel issues in my 20 years with the Delaware Forest Service. Just last week, we fought a wildfire where there was crown torching on 30 to 50-foot-high trees.”New Jersey’s Fire Service Chief Bill Donnelly said: “Folks are on their toes. Everybody’s ready to respond should anything happen. Things are extremely dry, and we just want people to use some extra caution when out and about.”What Happens NextWildfire season peaks in the fall, between October and November, and the spring, between March and May, when dry conditions, warming temperatures and increased winds after winter make wildfires more likely.Parts of both New Jersey and Delaware have experienced especially dry weather, suggesting the possibility of a significant wildfire season, but it remains to be seen how this will play out.
